BE STRONG. Joshua 1:7. “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.”
Leading God’s people is difficult because some will complain, and others will never ask for advice or take the counsel they receive seriously. Even if people ignore the biblical responses you will make to their questions, remember you have been called to lead God’s people by the Holy Spirit, so be strong in your leadership; God has called you to it.
Are you aware of God’s presence with you? Understand that He won't ask you to do what you cannot or are unable to do yourself. Just move forward confidently in the role He has given you, not with uncertainty. The Lord promised Joshua, “I will be with thee," and He is the same Lord who has appointed you to lead His people today. Pressure to compromise often must be faced, and your decisions may not always be popular, but quietly affirm God’s truth and season it with grace.
Be courageous in your personal life with God because sensitive issues will inevitably arise demanding a scriptural decision. You will always be safe when you answer honest or difficult questions with the Word of God. Think carefully before providing answers or counsel, and keep your goals clearly in mind before speaking. Don’t hesitate to take all the time you need to study and pray, knowing you will find guidance if you seek it. Be strong in your personal life, and then you will be able to help your brother and sister through some difficult times. Encourage all the saints to support one another in this way.
Take the time to personally read and reflect on what God says about the challenges you face. Compare scriptures with other scriptures until you get the big picture in your mind. If you make reading and meditating a daily habit, those you seek to lead will see that you practice what you preach. A person who meditates is usually someone spiritual, with knowledge and wisdom that can't be ignored by those who know him to be a man of God. When you experience leadership success, always give God all the glory when a crisis is resolved and a problem is solved. Do not let setbacks discourage you, because failures will happen sometimes.
A dependable leader has proven himself to be someone who can be trusted to offer wise counsel because he has read the scriptures and listened to his mentors. He doesn’t stray from God’s truth or cater to fit men’s opinions. His commitment is to the Lord, His word, and His people, who know they can rely on him. God has used him in the past, and he gladly serves the people of God without trying to climb some ladder to success or seek public recognition. The words he speaks and those of his mentor before him are the words of God, and people trust a man who is truly a man of The Word.